Lazy Sundays deserve decadent food, and no meal other than brunch can shake off a long weekend of chores or a late Saturday night out.
Leave it to Happy Badger on North Main Street in downtown BG to elevate brunch expectations by offering fresh-squeezed orange juice and baked goods from Ann Arbor’s food mecca, Zingerman’s.
While orange juice and baked goods might sound mundane, they are far from so in the hands of Ben Cohen, head chef. When Cohen adds fresh berries, caramelized pears, bananas, maple syrup and whipped cream to his Zingerman’s French Toast ($6.50), the sweet richness of brunch sparks alive.
During my recent brunch visit, I chose the Gourmet Egg in the Nest ($7.95), a locally sourced egg baked with butter in a Zingerman’s caramelized onion bun with sharp cheddar and roasted zucchini and onions. The savoriness of the bun absolutely complimented the yolk’s brightness and the subtle crunch of the seasonal vegetables. The side salad of field greens and rocket lettuce drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette served as a perfect palate cleanser between each bite of the Nest.
But as much as I tucked into my Egg in the Nest, the house-made sausage ($2.99) stole the show. The unabashed use of minced fresh sage with the delicate hint of maple syrup in the rustic-formed pork patty awoke my inner glutton. I have a feeling from this point on that Sundays won’t be the same without house-made Happy Badger sausage.
If you want to make someone happy, take him or her to Happy Badger for Sunday brunch. Not only can you take pride in supporting a family-owned, community business, but you can also ward off the Sunday blues with wholesome, local food. I promise you will leave the table feeling satisfied, not stuffed, and you’ll step into a sunny afternoon awake and ready for Sunday.
